Megan Munn’s Post

BREAKING NEWS: The Green Workforce Collaborative has been awarded $2.1M through the Climate-Ready Workforce (CRW) for Coastal and Great Lakes States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative! As a keystone organization of the Green Workforce Collaborative, Austin Youth River Watch will be receiving funds as a subgrantee to grow our programs and expand our impact. We are honored to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative. The goal of the Green Workforce Collaborative is to create a sustainable, high-impact model for inclusive recruitment, skill-building, job training and certification, mentorship, and community engagement among partners. The Collaborative will empower approximately 570 Texans from low-income and marginalized communities to pursue in-demand, living-wage green careers in various fields, including conservation, renewable energy and resilience, urban agriculture, green infrastructure, water management, and more. The CRW program supports communities across the U.S. by developing a skilled workforce capable of addressing climate challenges. Awardees are at the forefront of innovation, implementing cutting-edge strategies to enhance workforce readiness and climate resilience. These projects represent NOAA’s continued efforts to support workforce development across the United States and the commitment of the Biden-Harris administration to growing America’s economy through the Inflation Reduction Act. Follow @GreenWorkforceCollab and stay tuned! @noaa @seagrant_noaa @noaaclimate @noaadigitalcoast #greeninfrastructuree #GreenWorkforceCollaborative #ClimateReadyWorkforce #CRW #GoodJobs #Justice40 #InflationReductionAct #SeaGrant #SGResilience #Resilience #ClimateResilience #CleanEnergy #CleanWater #WaterManagement #FloodMitigation #EmergencyPreparedness #UrbanAgriculture #NatureBasedSolutions #BlueEconomy #Sustainable #WorkforceDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #Community #DiverseWorkforce #GreenEconomy #GreenInfrastructure

It's #SolarSaturday, and today we're highlighting a two-time #SolarMoonshotProgram grantee, Community Action Network (CAN) of Ann Arbor, which recently celebrated its two-year #solaranniversary for a couple of solar projects that are part of the Bryant Neighborhood Decarbonization project. These solar projects were made possible thanks to our philanthropic partner, BQuest Foundation, which funded the Solar Moonshot Program grant. 🌎 Bryant is a neighborhood in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that is engaged in a deep, multi-year effort to become the first fully decarbonized neighborhood in the Midwest. The Bryant Neighborhood Decarbonization project is an effort to work directly with residents in the Bryant neighborhood to design a strategy to improve health, safety, affordability, comfort and get local carbon emissions to zero. The Bryant neighborhood consists of roughly 260 households, of which 75 percent are considered low-income, over 50 percent of residents are BIPOC and 50 percent of residents are renters. This project is about more than solar, it’s about equitable decarbonizing and transforming the lives of a Community of Concern. Over the past year, the solar power systems have been able to produce 9,760 kWh of clean solar power, resulting in thousands of dollars in electric bills savings. Our first Solar Moonshot Program grant to Community Action Network was in collaboration with the City Of Ann Arbor and helped the city’s first clean energy resilience hub come to fruition thanks to our philanthropic partner, #LeftCoastFund. "Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation's Solar Moonshot Program is a critical first step in Community Action Network's effort to create the first pre-existing neighborhood to become carbon neutral in the Midwest! Our innovative approach to neighborhood-wide coordination and collaboration in a predominantly BIPOC under-resourced community will serve as a future template for addressing both environmental and social justice. The Solar Moonshot Program's early on investment has provided the much-needed nudge to ensure success!” said Derrick Miller, the executive director of Community Action Network. To learn more about this project, visit https://lnkd.in/ghd5xBnz To learn more about the Solar Moonshot Program, which helps nonprofit organizations afford the switch to solar, visit www.solarmoonshot.org Stay tuned for next week’s #SolarSaturday feature! ☀️

#ICYMI: Last week at @PolicyLink, we announced our new partnership with @Bloomberg Philanthropies on the launch of Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, a new $200 million three-year initiative that will provide support to 25 cities, as they pursue transformative climate solutions—especially in systemically underinvested and underserved communities overburdened by pollution. Climate resilience and racial equity are deeply intertwined. If we do not act boldly, climate change will worsen disparities and continue to harm all who face structural oppression in this country. PolicyLink’s commitment to collaborating with each city is rooted in our foundational pillars: creating opportunities, advancing economies, and building just societies where everyone can flourish. Our work with Bloomberg Philanthropies and a talented network of world-class partners (@Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University @Natural Resources Defense Council @Delivery Associates and the Sustainable Cities Fund) will show the nation what’s possible when cities take local action to fight climate change. #SustainableCities #ClimateAction #ClimateResilience #RacialEquity #Collaboration #Opportunities #EconomicGrowth #JustSocieties #Partnership #Innovation https://lnkd.in/eduCXhgW

Great news for cities across #Georgia and #Tennessee! The Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative is offering a historic opportunity to leverage federal funding for climate action.   What does this mean for GA & TN? Atlanta, Savannah, Chattanooga, Memphis, and Nashville are among the 25 selected cities! These cities will receive: *Expert support: A Bloomberg Philanthropies innovation team to help drive progress on climate change and ensure equitable outcomes. *Multi-year assistance: Customized policy and technical help to mobilize public, private, and philanthropic investments for local projects. *Focus on disadvantaged communities: Projects will prioritize areas disproportionately impacted by pollution. Potential projects include: *Affordable energy-efficient housing *Increased access to clean energy *Investments in electric vehicles and infrastructure #Memphis #Nashville #Chattanooga #Atlanta #Savannah #USGBC #Sustainability #ClimateAction https://lnkd.in/eCgq3rkr AIA Memphis, Urban Green Lab, green|spaces, Southface Institute, U.S. Green Building Council - U.S. Market Insights

🌎 Bloomberg Philanthropies led by former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is allocating $200 million to assist 25 U.S. cities in accessing federal funding opportunities for emissions reduction projects. 🌱 This initiative, named Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, aims to support cities in developing infrastructure for buildings and transportation that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. 🏙️💡 The selected cities will receive expert guidance to access funds under the Biden administration's climate legislation and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 🚀 Read more on CREtech ➡️ https://bit.ly/4a9eh4Z #ClimateAction #Sustainability #BloombergPhilanthropies #CREtech #innovation #commercialrealestate #tech #technology #realestate #builtworld #builtenvironment #realestateinnovation #sustainability Michael Beckerman Lindsey Imperatore Lauren Leal Emily Wright Ryan Saunders Kay Ross-Baker ___ Follow CREtechfor daily updates on driving innovation and sustainability in the real estate sector. Subscribe to our CREtech Briefs newsletter for more stories like the above 🗞 ➡️ https://bit.ly/49LyspZ

"In inner-city, low-income communities of color, there's such a high correlation in terms of educational quality and success." - Bill Gates Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael Regan have unveiled a transformative initiative, allocating $20 billion in grants through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to empower disadvantaged communities across the United States with clean energy and transportation projects. This monumental investment, facilitated by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, signifies a bold commitment to both environmental justice and climate action. Under this plan, eight esteemed organizations have been selected to oversee the distribution of funds, forming a national clean financing network. Over the next seven years, these grants will catalyze tens of thousands of projects, ranging from home energy retrofits to off-grid renewable energy installations, thereby reducing or avoiding up to 40 million metric tons of climate pollution annually. Vice President Harris emphasized the importance of ensuring that families, small businesses, and community leaders have access to the necessary capital to realize climate and clean energy initiatives in their neighborhoods. The EPA aims to disburse the funds to these organizations by September of this year, demonstrating a swift and purposeful approach to implementation. Despite opposition from congressional Republicans, who have labeled the GGRF a climate "slush fund," this initiative stands as a beacon of progress. Three non-profit coalitions will oversee the distribution of $14 billion from the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), supporting affordable clean technology projects nationwide. Additionally, five groups have been tasked with administering the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, providing crucial funding and technical assistance to community lenders serving low-income and disadvantaged communities. Crucially, this initiative prioritizes equity by dedicating at least $4 billion to rural communities and allocating $1.5 billion to programs benefiting tribal nations. Furthermore, the selected grantees are expected to leverage nearly $7 of private capital for every $1 of federal funds spent, maximizing the impact of this historic investment. In summary, the announcement of these grants represents a significant milestone in the fight against climate change by America and underscores the administration's unwavering commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable future for all Americans.

🌍 Empowering BIPOC Communities for a Greener Future! 🌱 There are some who falsely believe that driving community-centered projects is just about understanding capital stacking. While it’s true that capital plans are crucial for large-scale infrastructure projects, there's so much more to it. Here's what’s essential before we even get to stacking capital: Why It’s Important to Go Beyond Capital Stacking: 1. Community Engagement & Needs Assessment: - Why It Matters: Genuine engagement ensures projects address real community needs and garner local support. - What to Do: Host listening sessions, conduct surveys, and run focus groups to gather input from community members. 2. Feasibility Studies: - Why It Matters: Evaluating technical, environmental, and financial feasibility ensures the project can succeed sustainably. - What to Do: Conduct comprehensive assessments to confirm the viability of the proposed project. 3. Stakeholder Mapping & Coalition Building: - Why It Matters: Building strong partnerships with local organizations and leaders strengthens project support and execution. - What to Do: Identify key partners, establish networks, and foster collaborations. 4. Project Design & Planning: - Why It Matters: Detailed planning aligns the project with community goals and prepares for successful implementation. - What to Do: Develop thorough project plans, timelines, and budgets that reflect community needs and priorities. 5. Regulatory Approvals & Permits: - Why It Matters: Navigating regulations ensures the project meets legal requirements and avoids delays. - What to Do: Secure all necessary permits and approvals from local, state, and federal authorities. Support for BIPOC Communities: - Technical Expertise: Access to experts for designing and implementing projects. - Funding & Financial Planning: Help in identifying and securing capital. - Capacity Building: Training programs to equip community members with essential skills. By addressing these foundational steps, BIPOC communities can ensure that their projects are not only financially viable but also sustainable, equitable, and deeply rooted in community needs. Let’s build a greener, more just future together! 💪🏿💡 #InvestingInAmerica #BIPOCCommunities #GreenInfrastructure #CommunityDevelopment #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #GHGReduction #EmpowerCommunities

Building a sustainable future starts with access to decent and affordable housing. How to unlock the impact investment needed to address the shelter needs of the 2.8 billion estimated to be affected by housing inadequacy? Find the answers at the panel discussion hosted by Habitat for Humanity and GSG, where we will explore what it will take to disrupt housing markets and drive positive change. September 26, at 8:00 a.m. (ET): https://loom.ly/gj-x2yM #Sustainability #Sheltertech #HousingSolutions #ImpactInvesting

TIME TO FLIP THE SCRIPT: Funders invest in what they understand. A gross misalignment in funding exists for less-sexy infrastructure projects as compared to "familiar" green advancements, such as electric vehicles and plant-based burgers. Investment flows continue to be misallocated: Buildings and industry represent 51% of emissions but only received 19% of funding from Q4 2022 to Q3 2023. On the other hand, transportation is arguably overfunded relative to emissions. It accounted for 15% of total emissions in 2019, but received 37% of private investment from 2020-2023. #climatefinance #climate #climatetech

This is the age of cognitive dissonance! Social infrastructure is an important place for non judgemental conversation and storytelling. The many shifts we need in our world in the context of the climate crisis and ecological degradation requires us to build inclusive social infrastructure bottom up. #climatechange #storytelling #equity